Sun Belt Has Successful Draft

By BJ BennettSouthernPigskin.com

Led by tight end Gerald Everett from South Alabama, the Sun Belt had a half-dozen NFL Draft selections.

The Sun Belt Conference had a productive 2017 NFL Draft, with six players selected in the three-day event. Here is the rundown;

44th Overall: Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama (Los Angeles Rams) -- The first player drafted in Jaguar history, Everett was the fourth tight end taken in a deep class at the position. He was super-productive in Mobile after transferring from UAB, catching 90 passes for 1,292 yards and 12 touchdowns in just two seasons. Everett will become another offensive weapon for quarterback Jared Goff, the number one overall pick in last year's NFL Draft.

85th Overall: Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy (New England Patriots) -- After leading a front five that allowed the fewest sacks in the country in 2016, Garcia promptly became the highest offensive lineman drafted in Sun Belt history over the weekend. And, the defending Super Bowl champions traded up to get him. Garcia's athleticism, at 6'6'', 302 pounds, is prototypical for the next level.

183rd Overall: Ukeme Eligwe, LB, Georgia Southern (Kansas City Chiefs) -- Eligwe won a national title at Florida State before transferring to Statesboro. He was an active defensive leader for the Eagles, recording 104 total tackles last fall and 65 solo stops, the second-highest total in the league. A playmaker, Eligwe added 9.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and a 90-yard fumble return for a score.

188th Overall: Elijah McGuire, RB, Louisiana (New York Jets) --No player in conference history was more productive as McGuire is the Sun Belt's all-time leader with 5,695 yards from scrimmage. He was also the MVP of the East-West Shrine Game. McGuire's versatily, with 130 career receptions with the Ragin' Cajuns, has to be considered a major asset.

203rd Overall: De'Angelo Henderson, RB, Coastal Carolina (Denver Broncos)* -- The Chanticleers' program leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, Henderson is a scoring machine. He set an NCAA Division I record by reaching the endzone in 35 straight games. Henderson's 4.48 speed is a big part of his upside.

209th Overall: Robert Davis, WR, Georgia State (Washington Redskins) -- One of the top performers from the NFL Combine, Davis has a great mix of potential and production. In Indianapolis, he, at 6'3''219, ran 4.44 and did 19 bench press reps, vertical-jumped 41 inches and broad-jumped 136, the latter three standing as top results for wide receivers. In Atlanta, he caught 222 career passes.